Thoughts

Hungry for Love or Love-Starved? How Divorce Affects Appetite

As stressors go, divorce ranks is right up there with death, marriage and taxes. To add insult to injury, it usually includes other major changes — a different residence, shared child custody, challenging schedules, a shift in finances.

Mind. Mood, Food.

Given you are living a yo-yo existence, it’s no wonder your relationship with food is in a state of chaos. You may lose your appetite entirely, even forgetting to eat. On the other hand, you may find yourself seeking solace in food to alleviate your stress.

Either way, when you’re in emotional upheaval, you’re at your most vulnerable. “Considering that body and mind are connected, it makes sense that if you are upset that your body will be affected.” The negative thoughts overwhelm and actually cause a sustained stress reaction that upsets the immune system affecting your appetite.” The Breakup Diet: The Weird Way Heartbreak Affects Your Appetite

Not taking care of your body won’t make anything better any time soon. Eating well, even when food seems tasteless or you’re gorging on chocolate. macaroni and cheese or chips, is essential not only for your physical but also for your mental health. A diet high in sugar and fat or not eating will not help you focus just when it’s critical for you to be clear-headed.

The High Price of Ignoring Nutrition during Stress

Just as cardiovascular problems may arise from malnutrition, brain function is also adversely impacted by a lack of food. Headaches, short-term memory loss, fatigue, sleeplessness, or anxiety may all result. Divorce for Financial Reasons, Christian.net

Conversely, If you’re carrying many extra pounds, you face a higher-than-average risk of a whopping 50 different health problems. These health conditions include the nation’s leading causes of death—heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and certain cancers—as well as less common ailments such as gout and gallstones. How Excess Weight Affects Your Health

Make Nutrition a Priority

So, what are some simple ways to get control of your nutrition during a stressful divorce? Make a plan, have a routine.

Shop and Stock

Devote a couple of hours one day a week to stocking up with everything you’ll need for balanced, nutritious and easy-to-prepare meals for the rest of the week. Check out foods that nourish the brain. But keep it simple, don’t overwhelm yourself with complicated recipes.

Set Mealtimes

Having a set time for breakfast, lunch, and dinner establishes a routine that regularly refuels your body and brain with unprocessed, wholesome, nutritious food.

Expand Your Dinner Table

Look for opportunities to share meals with friends for dinner, co-workers for lunch or accept that party invitation. With good dinner companions to refocus your attention, you’ll find yourself enjoying the food and be less tempted to overeat if that’s how you usually cope.